'A Vessel of Honour'
Eph. 5:18
"be ye filled with the Spirit. . . ."
What constitutes being filled with the Spirit?
II Timothy 2:20,21
20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21. If a man therefore purge himself from these (the works of the flesh) he shall be a vessel of honour sanctified, and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work."
God is building a Great House --- and in this House there are vessels of honour. We have been taught that we were formed out of the clay of this earth, and called Adam. Because of sin, we became vessels of dishonor. In His infinite grace, God brought you and me up out of the miry clay of the sinful nature of Adam, loved us, redeemed us, and restored us by the washing of the blood of Jesus Christ. Sanctified us and filled us with His Spirit. He placed us in His House as vessels of Honour, ready for the Masters use. Praise be to God!
In 2 Cor. 4:7 Paul taught the church folk at Corinth that --- "You have this treasure in earthen vessels…" He was speaking about the life of God in us … Jesus Christ. Yes --- in this earthen vessel, the most cherished treasure of God, His son, Jesus Christ. Since we are considered to be vessels, as vessels, we can be filled just like any other vessel. It is a fact, if we are not filled with the 'Spirit, then, we will be filled with something else and that something else being the lust and desires of the flesh. Paul speaking to the Galatians in the letter to the Galatians, chapters 5, verse 16.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
Being filled with the Spirit enables us to do the will of the Father. Filled to the brim and overflowing. There is nothing more refreshing in the House of God, than to see a vessel full of the fresh anointing of God. So full, that everywhere they go the anointing spills over and splashes all over everyone they meet.
To be effective against the enemy in battle, you know when adversity comes --- sometimes it takes a broken vessel to over power the circumstances. This breaking is not to destroy the vessel but to allow the light of Christ to shine out in the dark. I know you remember the story of Gideon and the 300 men, when they were facing the Midianites. It took the breaking of the vessels to allow the light to shine out in the dark and bring victory.
Adversity will always bring forth the best of Christ in our lives, if we allow the life that is in us to shine out in the dark. Allowing the light of God to shine through all of the adversity --- to God be the Glory --- Stand fast. And "… be ye filled with the Spirit … " Amen…
Remember that God is the Master Potter and He can mend the brokeness. It is He that breaks a vessel and remakes it to become and honour unto Him.
_____ Grady Sibbett Sr.